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Letters to the Editor for Sept. 13, 2013

By Baker City Herald readers September 13, 2013 09:12 am

Thanks to Phyllis, and to Baker’s teachers

A pat on the back to Phyllis Badgley.

As I am sure many did, I read with extreme interest the article “Preparing to enter the first grade” in the Sept. 9 Baker City Herald. I started at Brooklyn, but the North Baker scenario was the same for South Baker and Churchill too.

How fortunate we are to have a historian like Phyllis and a local paper who so readily publishes such articles of like interest from other historians. Phyllis’ narratives are most descriptive and so utterly detailed that she takes her reader back in time and puts a smile on their face.

Remembering the indelible pencils — you would forget and put the tip in your mouth ending up with purple lips and tongues.

And who could forget Margaretha Sass for her perfect penmanship — how many of those circles upon circles and up and down strokes we did with ink pens to perfect our writing.

Thirty years ago, I received an education honor in Union County where I taught. At the presentation event, who should show up to support this former Baker City student, but several retired Baker County teachers, including Miss Sass. I was overwhelmed but it further showed how dedicated, even way back then, Baker teachers were and fortunately still are. I applaud the Baker education staff for their perseverance and integrity in past challenging times, and who still maintain the high standards of our Baker County school system.

So to Phyllis — thanks for the memories. We all await your next trip down Baker City’s Memory Lane.

Charlene Lee Dean

Baker City

Obama likes the titles but not the responsibility

Alberta Bailey’s letter to the editor Sept. 4 nailed it! I totally agree with her comments.

I believe President Obama and his administration are an extremely dangerous group of people in power. They labeled the Fort Hood massacre “workplace violence” — not a terrorist attack which prevents the victims from receiving the Purple Heart and its benefits.

It’s been a year since four Americans were murdered in Benghazi. Nothing has been done; only lies from this president. No one has been held accountable.

Now Syria, according to President Obama, “nobody ends up more war weary than me.” Really, Mr. President. How about the men and women of our military who are actually doing the hard, dangerous work? How about their families who are living with it every day? They have earned the right to be war wear, not you, Mr. President.

An interview conducted by Jim Newton of UCLA’s Luskin School of Public Affairs with Reggie Love, Obama’s former body man (not to be confused with bodyguard), the president played cards during the bin Laden raid. Love said they must have played “15 hands” of spades in the White House’s private dining room. “Most people were like down in the Situation Room but Obama was like, ‘I’m not gonna be down there, I can’t watch this entire thing.’ ” You, Mr. President, did not have the decency or leadership qualities of a true commander-in-chief to sit in your nice, comfortable, safe Situation Room while our brave special ops team on your orders risked their lives to complete the mission you assigned. But you sure didn’t miss the photo op and the opportunity to brag about killing bin Laden during your campaign for re-election.

This country and this world have been in turmoil since you took office. You, Mr. President, don’t really care about this country. You love the title of president but you don’t love this country! You love jet-setting around the world in Air Force One but you despise the same military that is responsible for your safe transportation. You, sir, are no commander-in-chief.

Brenda Holly

Baker City

John Kerry doesn’t deserve war hero status

Jayson Jacoby’s Sept. 6 editorial was a very good editorial. However, I must disagree with his comments regarding John Kerry. First, I’m not so sure that Kerry is a smart man. Second, I am absolutely sure that Kerry is no war hero! Kerry spent less than four months in Vietnam and collected a Bronze Star, a Silver Star and three Purple Hearts. Really? How does that work? Then he used the three Purple Hearts to request a trip home eight months before the end of his tour!

My brother-in-law served with the 101st Airborne, was awarded the Bronze Star and completed his full tour of duty. Kerry racks up five medals in four months and heads home. He then testified before Congress that our troops were criminals, murderers and rapists. He is NO war hero and does not deserve to hold the office of Secretary of State.